Mohawk Chapel

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Mohawk Chapel, Brantford
Mohawk Chapel, Brantford

Her Majesty's Royal Chapel of the Mohawks, the oldest church in Ontario, is one of six Royal chapels outside of the United Kingdom, and one of two in Canada. It was elevated to a Chapel Royal by The Queen in 2004. The Mohawk Chapel was constructed near Brantford, Ontario in 1785 by the British Crown and given to the Mohawk Indians led by Joseph Brant for their support of the Crown during the American Revolution. It was originally called St. Paul's, and is commonly referred to as the Mohawk Chapel.

The church is part of the Anglican Diocese of Huron, and the chaplain is appointed by the Bishop of Huron.

Architecturally, the chapel is a simple building. It has been renovated several times through its existence, and it suffered minor damage in November 2001 during two failed arson attempts. Originally the entrance faced east to the canoe landing site on the bank of the Grand River. Inside the building, eight stained glass windows, installed in 1959–1962, depict events from the history of the Six Nations.

Joseph Brant's tomb.
Joseph Brant's tomb.

In 1850, the remains of Joseph Brant were moved from the original burial site in Burlington, to a tomb at the Mohawk Chapel. John Brant, his son, also rests in the tomb. Next to Brant's tomb is a boulder memorializing Pauline Johnson, who was born in the nearby Six Nations Reserve and attended services in the Chapel.

[edit] Chaplains

  • The Reverend Robert Lugger (1827-1837)
  • The Reverend A. Nelles (1837-1884)
  • Archbishop R. Ashton (1885-1915)
  • The Reverend C.M. Turnell (1915-1917)
  • The Reverend C.H.P. Owen (1922-1929)
  • The Reverend H.W. Snell (1929-1945)
  • Canon W.J. Zimmerman (1945-1981)
  • The Reverend Norman Casey (1981-)

[edit] See also

[edit] External links